COVID Catechesis – Week 1 & 2 – The Gospel

You can download the PDF for free:

You may also purchase the book: To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism.

Introduction: Principles for At-Home Catechesis

• Catechesis covers the basics. Don’t let words like “catechesis” scare you. Catechesis simply means learning the basic teachings of Christianity, very often covered in preparation for baptism or confirmation. Orthodox Christians of any denomination will benefit greatly from this at-home catechetical plan.
• Here’s the plan. This catechism, “To Be A Christian,” covers The Gospel, The Apostle’s Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Ten Commandments, The Sacraments (those ordained by Jesus, commonly called the Dominical Sacraments or Ordinances, along with the Sacraments of the Church), Justification, and Sanctification.
• Christian catechesis is just as much for the teacher as it is for the student. You don’t truly know something until you teach it. Humble yourself as the teacher, and devote yourself to knowing and loving God more deeply in this process (do the recommended assignments with them!).
• Be flexible and give yourself grace. If you’re anything like us, you will miss days. You will get behind. Give yourself grace and jump back in where you left off. These guides will be for two weeks, but you could easily get them done in a few days. There is built-in space and flexibility.
• Repetition is key. There are 368 questions and answers in this catechism. You will be surprised at how much you can actually memorize, but returning again and again, hearing again and again is the point. The truths covered in the catechism will take a lifetime of repetition to even begin to know.
• Begin with prayer. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Say one of the appropriate prayers listed on pgs. 115-122 in the Catechism.
• Read the Bible. You might notice that these at-home catechesis “guides” always begin with an age-appropriate assignment from Holy Scripture. You might decide that the assignment doesn’t really fit with the busy week ahead, but even then, I encourage you to read and discuss the Scriptures before you get into the catechism.
• Start with catechesis. I (Chris) have found that beginning the school day with catechesis is best. It doesn’t make the school day magically holy, but attention is sharpest for us first thing in the morning.
• Ask questions. You don’t know it all, nor do you have to. Resist the urge to quickly correct your child’s answers. To be a catechist is not to be a know-it-all. Relax, non-experts preferred.

Week 1 and 2

Prayer
Pray this or any other appointed prayer from pgs. 115-122.

“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Cre- ate and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.“

Scripture
Prayer, then Scripture, then Catechism, in that order. This is what the catechism recommends!

For younger students.
Read Acts 2:14-36 and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel that Peter preached?

For lower grade students.
Read 1 Corinthians 15 and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel that Paul proclaimed?

For upper grade students.
Read The Gospel of Mark (curl up on the couch or a hammock and read it in one sitting) and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel of Jesus according to Mark? In addition to Acts 2:14-36 and 1 Corinthians 15, read Romans 10:15 and Isaiah 52:7 and surrounding verses. Did Jesus preach the gospel? Compare and contrast Isaiah, Paul, Peter, and Jesus’s “good news” proclamation.

For all students.
Now read the Introduction and summary of The Gospel from the catechism on pgs. 19-23. How does your reading of Holy Scripture and your summary align with this summary? Do you believe the gospel of Jesus? This entire catechism is designed to know, believe, and to follow Jesus the King. He is the greatest, worthy of all praise, full of all wisdom, and beautiful beyond all measure.

Catechism
Daily ask and answer questions #1-17 on pgs. 23-27.

• Read a few questions and answers daily. Trade off who reads.
• If you read questions #1-3 yesterday, read #1-3 today and add #4-7. Again, memorization isn’t the aim. But repetition will (surprisingly) lead to memorization.
• I recommend that each section be cumulative, but the whole catechism will not be cumulative. So, for example, the last day of week 1 and 2, you will be asking and answering #1-17. When we begin week 3 and 4, start with question #18 and build from there. Occasional cumulative reviews are helpful, but there are 368 questions total, so don’t go crazy!
• Optional: Read the Scripture references with each answer.

Watch
Bible Project videos will be helpful companions in our catechetical journey. Pop some popcorn and watch as a family!